Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-19

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular. Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular? What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.5)

In many countries, crime novels and TV crime dramas have become increasingly popular. There are several reasons why people are attracted to this type of entertainment, and I believe that it can be both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.

One major reason for the popularity of crime fiction is that it creates suspense and curiosity. Readers and viewers want to discover who committed the crime and why it happened. They often try to solve the mystery themselves before the ending is revealed. In addition, crime stories usually contain unexpected twists and complicated characters, which keep people interested. Another reason is that these stories allow people to experience danger and excitement from the safety of their own homes. For some people, this provides an escape from the routine of everyday life.

I personally have a positive opinion of crime novels and TV dramas, provided that they are well written and do not glorify violence. A good crime story can be more than simple entertainment. It can explore human psychology, justice, morality and the reasons why people commit crimes. It may also encourage viewers to think critically and pay attention to small details. However, I think that excessive exposure to violent crime programmes can sometimes have a negative effect, especially if violence is presented as normal or entertaining.

In conclusion, crime novels and TV dramas are popular mainly because they offer suspense, excitement and mystery. In my view, they are a valuable form of entertainment when they focus on storytelling and human behaviour rather than unnecessary violence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You clearly explain the reasons for the popularity of crime fiction, such as the appeal of suspense, curiosity, and the psychological escape it provides. Your personal opinion is stated clearly in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between entertainment and the exploration of human morality. To reach a higher band, you could provide a specific example of a book or TV show to illustrate your points, which would add depth to your arguments and demonstrate a more comprehensive engagement with the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Another reason', and 'However' to link your points effectively. The transition between the reasons for popularity and your personal opinion is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the response. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, making the text easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'intellectually stimulating', 'unexpected twists', and 'human psychology' show a solid command of language. The vocabulary is used accurately to convey your meaning without any noticeable errors. While the range is sufficient, incorporating more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate the response further. For instance, instead of 'good crime story', you might use 'compelling narrative' or 'intricately plotted mystery' to show greater lexical flexibility and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences that are generally error-free. Your control over punctuation and grammar is strong, with no significant errors that impede communication. You use a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to express your ideas. The writing is clear and professional. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with more varied grammatical structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional sentences, to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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